India Observers

  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe heatwave warning, predicting that extreme temperatures will persist for the next five days across large parts of east and south peninsular India. The heatwave has shattered longstanding temperature records across various  states , with Alappuzha in Kerala experiencing the highest April temperatures ever recorded in these regions. In Bengaluru, two weather stations registered temperatures of 38.5°C and 37.6°C, ranking among the third and fourth hottest April days on record. The heatwave’s unrelenting grip has impacted the electoral process, with 186 out of the 191 constituencies scheduled for polls falling within regions projected to experience peak temperatures above 35°C over the next five days. A staggering 136 of these constituencies could face  temperatures exceeding 40°C , potentially deterring voters from turning out. There is little prospect of relief from the scorching heat until May 1, with only some...

  The looming threat of extreme heat waves in Indian cities like  Delhi  and Kolkata, exacerbated by global warming, poses a deadly risk to human health. If global temperatures surge by two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, millions in densely populated areas of India, Pakistan, and China will bear the brunt of these scorching conditions. The gravity of the situation intensifies as residents in these regions lack access to air-conditioners and effective cooling methods, leaving them vulnerable to the health hazards posed by extreme heat and humidity. The human body’s tolerance to specific combinations of heat and humidity becomes compromised, increasing the risks of heart attacks and heat strokes. The research underscores that the impact of intensifying heat waves won’t spare even residents of developed or affluent countries. However, the study particularly emphasizes the vulnerability of regions with rapid population growth to the worst heat stress. The resear...